Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is a condition characterized by difficulty staying focused, controlling behavior and over-activity. On average, ADHD affects about 3 to 7 percent of children within the school-going age. While ADHD is considered a childhood condition, numerous studies have shown that it can persist into adulthood if not treated properly.

Here are 5 little-known facts about ADHD that every parent should know:

1. ADHD is linked to short term memory loss

Several research findings have pointed to the fact that people with ADHD tend to have impaired short-term or working memory. Such people may experience difficulty in remembering instructions and/or completing tasks that require higher concentration and focus. According to a 2012 study published on the Clinical Psychology Review, children diagnosed with ADHD demonstrated tangible memory problems compared to their normal counterparts.

2. Boys are at a higher risk of suffering from ADHD than girls

Boys are three times more likely to suffer from ADHD while men's likelihood of having the condition is twice as compared to that of women, research shows. A larger percentage of boys, however, tend to exhibit strong ADHD symptoms on the outside while girls tend to internalize them. According to experts, the differences in how the two genders display the symptoms might be perhaps the reason why a larger percentage of boys and men are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.

3. Tooth grinding is associated with ADHD

Recent research has suggested that children experiencing bruxism (involuntary grinding of teeth) are more likely to develop anxiety, inattentiveness and stress. Based on a study published in 2009 on Sleep Magazine, teens diagnosed with ADD/ADHD at a younger age were more likely to experience problems like snoring, insomnia and bruxism. Nearly all the ADHD subjects put under study revealed sleep problems (mainly bruxism), regardless of the severity of ADD symptoms. On the contrary, all the normal teens put under test did not exhibit any symptoms of bruxism.

4. High sugar intake does not cause ADHD

Many people have had the notion that taking large amounts of sugar, watching TV for long hours and experiencing a stressful life can cause ADHD. The truth of the matter is, there are no research or study findings that have linked any of these activities to ADHD. However, numerous studies have indicated that most ADHD cases are hereditary (up to 75 percent of cases).

5. Expectant mothers that smoke, take alcohol or drugs are likely to give birth to an ADHD child

Some of the major causes of ADHD as per recent findings include smoking, alcohol intake and use of other recreational drugs during pregnancy. According to research, a woman who engages in any of these activities is twice as likely to give birth to a baby with ADHD.